Arizona

Marijuana By Itself Not a Significant Factor in Fatal and Injury Crashes in 2012, DPS Data Shows

Pot by itself was not much of a factor in injury and fatal crashes probed last year by the Arizona Department of Public Safety. Fewer than 1 percent of suspected impaired drivers involved in such crashes tested positive for nothing but marijuana. New Times' findings, based on a records request sat ... More >>

Marijuana Legalization Supported by More Than Half of Arizonans, Poll Says

It shouldn't be illegal to possess a little marijuana, according to more than half of Arizona's residents.This Behavior Research Center poll, released today, shows that 56 percent of the Arizonans surveyed are in favor of "legalizing the possession of small amounts of marijuana for personal use," wi ... More >>

Nikki's Five Picks for Arizona Restaurant Week (May 18-27)

Arizona Restaurant Week -- the Spring 2013 Edition -- begins Saturday, May 18 and ends Monday, May 27 (which is Memorial Day, when most of us will be grilling burgers and drinking beer at home . . . but never mind). By the end of this week, ARW officially will be upon us: a 10-day eating extravaganz ... More >>

Arizona Has a Higher Percentage of Global-Warming Believers Than Any Other State

People in Arizona are more likely to believe that global warming is a real thing than people in any other state.It may be easy to believe, since a large portion of the state is essentially a Crock-Pot that cooks humans during the summer, but it may also be difficult to believe, given the conspiracy- ... More >>

Sam Pillsbury Answers the Question: Why Arizona Wine?

Why Arizona wine? In 2000 -- the year I planted my first vineyard at the end of a lonely, dusty road in Cochise County, 12 miles south of Willcox -- one of the 10 Best 'How to Lose Money' jokes on Saturday Night Live was: Plant a Vineyard In Arizona. Arizona is all Sonoran Desert, obviously suicid ... More >>

Grab Your Favorite Dining Buddy: Arizona Spring Restaurant Week Is Almost Here

Twice a year, the Arizona Restaurant Association tries to entice us into dining out for 10 days straight by getting more than a hundred local restaurants to offer prix-fixe menus for $30 or $40. And every year, twice a year, it pretty much works. See also: - April Restaurant Openings and Closings ... More >>

Is Arizona's Zero-Tolerance Stance on Pot and Driving a Load of B.S.?

If you smoked a joint a couple days ago, you are too stoned to drive right now in Arizona.The state's zero-tolerance law on the combination of marijuana-smoking and driving is the subject of this week's cover story by our colleague Ray Stern, a law that's even worse considering the state has a legal ... More >>

How to Avoid a Marijuana DUI in Zero-Tolerance Arizona

For the millions of people who now use marijuana legally under their states' laws, driving in Arizona is a technically a crime. Motorists with pot metabolites in their bloodstreams who want to avoid a marijuana DUI -- which comes with nasty fines and a one-year suspension of driving privileges, in ... More >>

Arizona Farmer Chef Connection Conference on June 10 at Desert Botanical Garden

Local and slow-food proponents have teamed up for a tete-a-tete on all things Arizona and farm-to-table. Local First Arizona, along with Edible Phoenix, Slow Food Phoenix, Good Food Finder, and the Desert Botanical Garden, will host the Arizona Farmer Chef Connection on Monday, June 10. See also: ... More >>

Arizona's Well Above the National Average! (For Middle-Aged Suicide Rates)

In only a handful of states are middle-aged people killing themselves at a higher rate than Arizona.The Centers for Disease Control and prevention released a report today on Americans between the ages of 35 and 64 committing suicide, Arizona's 24 suicides per 100,000 residents in 2010 was well above ... More >>

Revival of Arizona Watermelon Festival in Historic Glendale on June 8

This summer, one of Arizona's oldest food festivals is back after lying fallow for several decades. First held in 1949, the Arizona Watermelon Festival is an old-timey Glendale tradition that once brought together up to 40,000 people each year to celebrate local agriculture. The revived version will ... More >>

A Twist of Fete

Rick Phillips of EATERAZ to Open Casual Restaurant with BBQ Component Moonshine -- and Guess Who's Consulting for Him?

As the likable smart-ass behind the food scene blog EATERAZ and the guy who puts on both the Arizona Taco Festival and the Arizona BBQ Festival (all with considerable help from his equally likeable and possibly more smart-ass partner Dave Tyda), Rick Phillips is known for being a magazine publisher ... More >>

Arizona Ranked Second-to-Last in the Nation in "Bachelor Party Freedom"

Arizonans have less freedom to engage in activities that may be related to bachelor parties than the residents of 48 other states.According to a study from George Washington University, Arizona gets its poor ranking from laws on gambling, victimless crime, tobacco, beer, kegs, fireworks, prostitutio ... More >>

Boston Marathon Explosions: 259 Arizonans Entered the Race, 186 Finished

There are varying counts of people dead and injured from the explosions this afternoon at the finish line of the Boston Marathon, but the initial count from a police spokeswoman was two people dead, and 23 injured.Of the 26,839 people entered in the race, 259 of them are from Arizona. One of those A ... More >>

Here Are the Winners of the 2013 Arizona Culinary Hall of Fame

Hold on to your apron strings, folks. The Arizona Culinary Hall of Fame has announced its 2013 winners. See also: - Top 5 Favorite Events at the 2013 Scottsdale Culinary Festival - Crudo Chef Cullen Campbell Invited to Cook at the James Beard House Presented by the Scottsdale Culinary Festival an ... More >>

Arizona's Lands on the Daily Show Yet Again, This Time for "Protecting Guns From People"

Yet again, the state of Arizona is the subject of one of Comedy Central's news programs, this time thanks to Tucson gun advocates who are "standing up for guns."This time, the Daily Show with Jon Stewart profiled the gun-worshipers who are protesting the gun-buyback programs in Tucson, as well as Re ... More >>

Arizona Ranked Fourth in the Nation! (For "Highest Levels of Gun Violence")

Only three other states in the U.S. of A. have higher "levels of gun violence" than Arizona, according to one report.Although magazines like Guns & Ammo congratulate Arizona for being "the best" state for gun owners -- despite the fact that the magazine's former editor shot and killed a man in Arizo ... More >>

Should Arizona Adopt Bisbee's Pending Civil-Union Ordinance for Same-Sex Couples?

As the Bisbee City Council prepares to adopt an ordinance tonight that would give same-sex couples the right to a civil union that provides the same legal benefits as a marriage, we can't help but wonder why the rest of the state isn't doing this. After it passes as expected, the city will acknowle ... More >>

Valley Fever Cases "Skyrocketing," With Most Cases in Arizona

The number of people getting Valley Fever is "skyrocketing," which, unfortunately for everyone, is not a reference to the readership of the New Times news blog.The Arizona Department of Health Services passed along the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention news explaining that Valley Fev ... More >>

Here's Who's Been Nominated for the 2013 Arizona Culinary Hall of Fame

For over twenty years, the Scottsdale Culinary Festival and the Scottsdale League for the Arts have been presenting the Arizona Culinary Hall of Fame awards, where the best chefs, restaurateurs, and beverage masters in the state have secured a place in culinary history. See also: - Chef Kevin Binkl ... More >>

Arizona WIne at Devoured 2013

Pavle Milic knows his way around a bottle of Arizona wine, so when he graciously offered to give us the rundown on the local wine showcased last weekend at Devoured, we jumped at the chance. Full disclosure: As co-owner of FnB in Scottsdale, Milic serves AZ wine and he's in the process of making his ... More >>

IROC Expands His Hip-Hop Empire With Paranormal Thriller Blood Ink

25 years ago, the Phoenix hip-hop scene was virtually non-existent. That's when Irin Daniels -- taking the name IROC -- got involved, and since that time he's become one of the most respected hip-hop entities in Arizona. If you have had any resemblance of a career in this state, there's very good c ... More >>

Epicuriad 2013: Beer For Brains Foundation's Annual Food Pairing Competition on March 22

You would think a craft beer-focused foundation holding a contest pitting one dish against a beer or wine would be, well, a little biased. But for the past two years the Beer For Brains Foundation Epicuriad has been thoroughly pleasing food, beer and wine fans alike. See also: - Epicuriad: The Fin ... More >>

Senate Democrat Suggests Trying to Keep the State Legislature Off the Daily Show

Democratic state Senator Steve Gallardo seems to get it -- every year, legislators make asses of themselves by passing, or even just by proposing, ridiculous laws.We've seen all kinds of pleas from the few legislators who don't want to play along with the "meth lab of democracy," but we like Gallard ... More >>

Check, Please! Arizona to Host Downtown Food Festival: Think Local Restaurants, Chef Demos, and Auditions

Check, Please! Arizona, KAET Channel 8's popular restaurant-review series on which Arizonans share their dining experiences with James Beard Award-winning chef and host Robert McGrath, is taking its show on the road. Specifically, to downtown Phoenix. See also: - Wingstock 2013 on March 30 in Mesa ... More >>

Virginia Pizza Shop Offers 2nd Amendment Discount

Good news gun owners (in Virginia) there's a pizza shop there willing to offer you a 15 percent discount if you're packing heat. The owner of All Around Pizza and Deli, Jay Laze, said he decided to start offering the deal after he saw a frozen yogurt shop in Utah offer a similar deal. See Also: - ... More >>

Five Things to Eat and Drink this Weekend in Metro Phoenix

Looking for something to put in your mouth this weekend? We've got you covered. Check out what's on our plate. See Also: What to Eat with An Oscar Nominated Film: A Dinner and a Movie Recap Maya's Farm in Phoenix Now Hosting Classes Taught by Local Farmers Arizona Matsuri Break out the Hello Kitt ... More >>

Spring Has Sprung

Five Things to Eat and Drink this Weekend in Metro Phoenix

Looking for something to put in your mouth this weekend? We've got you covered. Check out what's on our plate. See Also: 17 Don't-Miss Events During Arizona Beer Week, Feb. 16-23 6 Don't-Miss Events During AZ Cocktail Week: Feb 16-22 13th Annual Arizona Strong Beer Festival Hold on to your beer ... More >>

Should Cops Be Able to Use Drones Without a Warrant?

Earlier this week, we told you about the proposed bill that would make it illegal for cops to use drones to gather information without a search warrant.House Bill 2574 is very similar to bills being proposed in several other states, although the legislators proposing the Arizona edition happen to be ... More >>

Dates of Arizona Beer Week and Arizona Cocktail Week Overlap Again -- And Neither Group Is Budging

Fans of adult beverages and the events in which they're celebrated are going to have a tricky time filling out their calendars from Saturday, February 16, through Saturday, February 23, this year. That's when Arizona Beer Week and Arizona Cocktail Week, two of the Valley's major events hailing craft ... More >>

Arizona Bill Would Criminalize Shootin' After Drinkin'

If you're looking for evidence that some city slickers have made their way into the state Legislature, look no further than House Bill 2631.The bill, sponsored almost entirely by Democrats, would make it a felony to negligently shoot a gun with a blood-alcohol level of drunk-driving caliber -- .08.

Fast-Casual Chain Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill Expanding to Arizona

If there seems to be an increase of pitas, laffas, and kabobs in the Valley over the next few months, look to the northeast -- they're coming from Denver, kind of. See also: - Sam Fox's The Yard, Featuring Culinary Dropout, to Open February 11: Think Live Music, Tetherball, and (Later) Oysters -Aa ... More >>

6 Don't-Miss Events During AZ Cocktail Week: Feb 16-22

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Phoenix is becoming a bona-fide food-town, "becoming" (present progressive) being the operative word. Exhibit A, for your consideration: the second annual Arizona Cocktail Week, a seven-day series of boozy events -- some educational, others not so much -- b ... More >>

Joe Arpaio Recall Paperwork Filed With Maricopa County Elections Department

The political committee that's apparently going to try to recall Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio filed its registration paperwork with the county elections department this morning.It's still not clear exactly who's behind the committee, Respect Arizona, but Citizens for a Better Arizona president ... More >>

Arizona Republicans Proposing "Academic Freedom" (a.k.a. Anti-Evolution) Bill

Here, in the year 2013, lawmakers would like teachers to be allowed to address "weaknesses of existing scientific theories."The language sounds fairly innocuous on its face, until you discover that the language in the proposal -- from a handful of Arizona's Republican lawmakers -- matches that of "A ... More >>

Medical-Marijuana "Vapor Lounge" in West Valley Allows Patients to Toke Up, Rent Bongs and Hang Out

A group of medical-marijuana dispensary owners at the State Capital yesterday afternoon urged authorities to shut down unregulated cannabis clubs. Meanwhile, up the road in a small, west Valley strip mall, medical-marijuana patients toked up openly in a "lounge" that has the look, feel, and scent o ... More >>

Arizona's Number One in the United States! (For Highest Rate of High School Dropouts)

Out of all 50 states, there's no state where kids are dropping out of high school at a higher rate than Arizona.That's according to a report on graduation and dropout rates released today by the National Center for Education Statistics, which is part of the U.S. Department of Education.See also:-Ari ... More >>

Legislators Have More Education Proposals: Make the Pledge of Allegiance a Requirement

Maybe there's something to be said about the posts on this blog today -- legislators hoping to make high school students take a loyalty oath to graduation, Arizona leading the nation in high school dropouts, and now, an effort to make reciting the Pledge of Allegiance a "requirement."Under current A ... More >>

24 Food and Drink Festivals in Metro Phoenix

Festival season's about to hit full tilt. Are you ready? Now you are. Here are some of our favorite local food & beverage events happening from now until the end of April: FEBRUARY 2/1 - Haute Chocolate Market & Festival Where: Heard Museum Price: $30 in advance, $35 day of the event and $45 for V ... More >>

Legislators Propose Forcing High School Students to Swear to Defend Constitution in Order to Graduate

"Finally, our state legislators are making sure Arizona's teenagers will ask for the Lord's help defending the Constitution before they're allowed to earn a high school diploma." --NobodyIf a handful of Republican state legislators have their way, high school students in Arizona would not be allowed ... More >>

Salvia Sales Targeted by Lawmakers Yet Again; Regulation Has Failed Since 2009

State lawmakers have been trying to regulate salvia divinorum, a hallucination-inducing plant, since 2009, and it still hasn't been regulated.Now, legislators are trying once again to regulate salvia, this time banning its sale to anyone under the age of 21.See also:-2009: Salvia Targeted by Arizona ... More >>

White House Responds to Secession Petitions, Explains How America Works

Although the meaningless online petition begging the federal government to let Arizona secede didn't even get enough signatures to warrant a response, eight other states' petitions did.To paraphrase the White House employee who responded to the petitions, "No."See also:-Arizona Secession Movement Ca ... More >>

Future Ballot Proposition for Marijuana to Be Regulated Like Alcohol: Yay or Nay?

Despite some Arizona Republicans' continued opposition to the state's voter-approved medical-marijuana program, the voters still like it, according to recently released poll results.While 59 percent of poll respondents said they support Arizona's 2010 Medical Marijuana Act, 59 percent of people said ... More >>

Poll: Most Arizona Voters Support Medical-Marijuana Act; 59 Percent Would Legalize Pot

An increased number of Arizona voters support the 2010 Medical Marijuana Act, and most would vote to end marijuana prohibition, a new poll shows. The poll of 600 Arizonan residents was conducted on January 9 and 10 by Public Policy Polling on behalf of the National Cannabis Industry Association. T ... More >>

Blaze Rock: Arizona Hip-Hop Veteran Shares Words of Wisdom

Editor's Note: We'd like to welcome local hip-hop artist and writer Jaron Ikner to Up on the Sun. You're probably familiar with his Black One project, and now he's bringing his voice to the music blog here at New Times. Salute! Longevity and consistency are two things that are considered a rare fi ... More >>

Teen Use of Marijuana Decreased Since Passage of Arizona Medical-Pot Law, Study Shows

People who thought teens would be using marijuana more because of Arizona's 2010 medical-pot law are wrong, a new study shows. Combined, the percentage of 8th, 10th and 12th graders who reported using marijuana at least once in their lives went from 29.9 percent before the law passed to 28.7 percen ... More >>

Teenagers May Get Marijuana From People Who Have Marijuana, Local Media Discovers

According to several Valley reporters, a new survey shows that some Arizona teenagers have obtained marijuana from people who can legally possess marijuana."No shit," say the rest of us.See also:-Medical Marijuana in Arizona a "Charade," and What's Wrong with That, Exactly?-Arizona Organix Steps Out ... More >>

Bill Montgomery's Ghost of Christmas Present: Injustice

If there were a law against keeping parents from their children for no good reason on Christmas, or any other day, then Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery, and many of his functionaries, would be guilty as charged. Currently, neither the county attorney's office nor the Maricopa County Sheri ... More >>